At least 234 killed: UN urges 'humanitarian pause'

AFP

SANAA: Clashes in the Yemeni capital have killed at least 234 people and wounded 400 since December 1, the International Committee of the Red Cross said yesterday, reports AFP

"Now we have 400 wounded reported and 234 dead," Sanaa-based ICRC spokeswoman Soumaya Beltifa told AFP, in reference to fighting between Huthi rebels and forces loyal to Ali Abdullah Saleh -- who was himself killed on Monday.

Strongman Saleh had on Saturday bypassed his Huthi allies of three years, telling the Saudi-led military coalition in Yemen he was ready to negotiate if the crippling siege could be lifted.

But the move backfired. Saleh was killed as fighting raged between his forces and the Iran-backed Huthis for control of the capital -- a new front in the war. Meanwhile, the UN yesterday called for a "humanitarian" truce in air strikes and fighting in Yemen as it seeks to deliver aid to civilians trapped in the capital Sanaa, reports AFP.

"I ... sent a message asking for a truce, a peace pause, a humanitarian pause, for the parties to stop shooting, stop fighting, stop air strikes, so the people can go to hospitals, can go to seek safety ... and go to also find a place for water and food," UN humanitarian coordinator Jamie McGoldrick told reporters in Geneva by phone from Sanaa.

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At least 234 killed: UN urges humanitarian pause

AFP

SANAA: Clashes in the Yemeni capital have killed at least 234 people and wounded 400 since December 1, the International Committee of the Red Cross said yesterday, reports AFP
Now we have 400 wounded reported and 234 dead, Sanaa-based ICRC spokeswoman Soumaya Beltifa told AFP, in reference to fighting between Huthi rebels and forces loyal to Ali Abdullah Saleh -- who was himself killed on Monday.
Strongman Saleh had on Saturday bypassed his Huthi allies of three years, telling the Saudi-led military coalition in Yemen he was ready to negotiate if the crippling siege could be lifted.
But the move backfired. Saleh was killed as fighting raged between his forces and the Iran-backed Huthis for control of the capital -- a new front in the war. Meanwhile, the UN yesterday called for a humanitarian truce in air strikes and fighting in Yemen as it seeks to deliver aid to civilians trapped in the capital Sanaa, reports AFP.
I ... sent a message asking for a truce, a peace pause, a humanitarian pause, for the parties to stop shooting, stop fighting, stop air strikes, so the people can go to hospitals, can go to seek safety ... and go to also find a place for water and food, UN humanitarian coordinator Jamie McGoldrick told reporters in Geneva by phone from Sanaa.

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